Tuesday, October 30, 2012

MONGREL: "Reclamation"

Mongrel, underground metal-punks aka local heroes from Boston, Massachusetts and according to the press-release one of the East Coast's strongest independent act. They've been touring up and down the coast for nearly a decade now, sharing stages with diverse acts such as The Misfits, Korn, GWAR, Prong, Fu Manchu, Fear, The Exploited, etc, etc.

"Reclamation" - their latest rage and power fueled effort, finally up for release after four year, five band members, two studios, two labels, and countless hours getting the songs recorded and released. It's a rather basic and very energetic album with just as much punk as metal influence. After replacing their previous male singer with Jessica Sierra from the band Affliction, they now have a very capable as well as flexible vocalist upfront. Truth be told, she's the best thing about this record.

Lyrically, we are not impressed. In fact, we are rather "Bored To Death" (opening track off Reclamation). Wearing four-letter words on their sleeves like it's some kind of badge of honor? Seriously, what's the real message behind the lyric if every other word is either f**k or s**t? Sure, it's anarchy, intriguing to the pre-teen living in the states? Are they or are they not segregated by church and state? (free speech - U.S. media vs. politic vs. religion? etc, etc). Nontheless, it's juvenile and dare I say idiotic? Metal, punk, sludge, and rap ingredients, it's frankly not enough to save this from status below average.
www.mongrelband.com